Horse Listening

16 Ways to Not Become Bored During Your Ride

Horse Listening — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:39:10 +0000

Riders sometimes complain that riding in a ring can become too boring. If you’re bored, your horse is certain to be bored too. But there are literally hundreds of exercises you can do with your horse if you are creative enough. Here is a list of just a few ideas to keep ring riding fresh […]

Why Rising Trot Is Not Rising At All

Horse Listening — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:06:51 +0000

Not all rising trots are equal. There are three reasons we rise at the trot. First, we might want to take our weight off the horse’s back – and the easiest way to do it is to rise (or “post”) every other stride in rhythm with the horse’s movement. Second, maybe we want the horse […]

First, Plan Your Ride. Then, Be Ready To Scrap It.

Horse Listening — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:04:32 +0000

. Has this ever happened to you? You know exactly what you want to do during your ride. Your horse is prepped, you have all the gear you need, and you head to the riding ring with high hopes and a set plan. You get on, get going, and then discover that your horse has […]

“Go and No”: The Connection Between Forward and Half-Halt in Horse Riding

Horse Listening — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:14:33 +0000

Without forward, there is no half-halt but without half-halt, there is no forward. (Click to tweet this if you agree.) Let me explain. Has it ever happened to you that after you kicked (or preferably, didn’t kick but used more seat/leg for more energy), the horse flew out from under you, running faster and faster until […]

What Being On the Forehand Means to the Horse

Horse Listening — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:53:25 +0000

We often talk about the ills caused by the horse moving on the forehand, and we dissect and analyze movement in an effort to understand. The idea here isn’t to cause guilt and doom and gloom; instead, we should learn all we can and take steps to avoid known problems. What does being on the forehand […]

It’s going to happen!

Horse Listening — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:17:39 +0000

. I’m beginning to work on my first Horse Listening manuscript, featuring some of the favorite articles and ideas from the blog! Please let me know in the comments below if there is a post that you think MUST be included in the book. Thanks! Filed under: horses

The Top 6 Reasons Why Horse Lovers Love the Earth

Horse Listening — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:17:55 +0000

Yesterday, it was Earth Day, and as I was thinking about the virtues of this planet, I began to make profound connections between horses and the earth. Caring for and riding horses must be among the most earth-dependent activities left to us (aside from farming and other such activities). Here are the top 6 reasons […]

Listening to “Hoofbeats”: A CD Especially For the Equestrian in You

Horse Listening — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:09:06 +0000

Horse riding is all about rhythm and musicality, but rarely do you find a music CD that is dedicated to horses and their people. Rarer still is the musician who has personally ridden and knows horses well enough to truly understand and appreciate what it really feels like to ride, care for and love horses. […]

Can You Recognize the Sewing-Machine Trot?

Horse Listening — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:35:22 +0000

It’s called a sewing-machine trot because of the up-and-down movement of the legs. We sometimes call the horse a “leg-mover” and basically mean the same thing. Essentially, the horse lacks adequate length of stride in the movement. The legs move but the body does not go anywhere. The horse does not use his torso in […]

3 Questions to Consider Before Riding Bareback and Bridleless

Horse Listening — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:11:58 +0000

Last weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of watching Stacy Westfall work her horses and riders in some demo rides during Ontario’s “Can-Am” weekend event. It was fabulous to watch her and listen to her words of wisdom. My take-home from her sessions: safety around horses is essential at all times. You’ve probably already seen […]